I scanned the files on surgery which I've saved and believe this statement fairly describes the state of the art at this point.
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The first sentence (in BOLD) stands alone as a word of wisdom!
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Headache. 2008 Feb;48(2):313-8.
Occipital nerve stimulation for headache: mechanisms and efficacy.
Goadsby PJ, Bartsch T, Dodick DW.
Headache Group, Institute of Neurology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
HEADACHE DISORDERS ARE COMMON PROBLEMS IN MEDICINE AND IT IS THIS COMMONNESS THAT OFTEN PROVIDES AN AIR OF THE SIMPLE OR OBVIOUS. PATIENTS EXPECT DOCTORS UNDERSTAND HEADACHE; INDEED DOCTORS EXPECT THEY MAY UNDERSTAND HEADACHE, AND IN TURN SINCE SIMPLE TREATMENTS EXIST AND CAN BE PURCHASED FROM A SUPERMARKET, THE VERY CONCEPT OF THE DIFFICULT HEADACHE PROBLEM HAS A PEJORATIVE CONNOTATION. A decade ago none of the authors were using device-based therapies to any substantial extent, and now hardly a week goes by when we will not see a patient who has considerable potential to benefit from such approaches. Here we cover the most promising of the device-based approaches, neurostimulation therapy using occipital nerve stimulation. Far from proven and with much work to be done, this is an exciting potential development for patients and doctors. Other device-based therapies, such as deep brain stimulation for cluster headache and patent foramen ovale closure, are covered elsewhere.
PMID: 18234048 [PubMed]
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That I've saved so few files reflects the inconsistency in reporting success/failure of surgical approaches. I can imagine exploring such treatments if you have found no relief from the conventional medical treatments but surgery is an expensive, iffy, and not (for some approaches) entirely safe.
We continue to suggest working with a headache specialist, not a general neurologist, if at all possible.
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LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST
1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.
2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.
3. Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.
4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
; On-line screen to find a physician.
5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.
6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.
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return member ....... but lost my info (Read 793 times)
